OUR HISTORY
About Us
Supporting the UK food retail industry since 1987, built on family values, hard work, and a relentless commitment to service excellence.
I am extremely proud and honoured to have had parents such as this, and I work everyday to maintain and drive the values instilled in me and our company
Formed in 1987 by Tommy, May and Stewart McKeown, TMS began as a family business repairing and maintaining supermarket trolleys for small Scottish food retailers. What started as a modest operation quickly gained momentum, allowing the company to grow steadily and expand both its service offering and customer base across the UK.
From the beginning, TMS was built on strong foundations of reliability, craftsmanship and service – values that continue to define the business today.
Originally a coal miner for 30 years, the driving force behind TMS was Tommy McKeown – a gifted, diligent and hardworking engineer whose integrity and work ethic shaped the company from day one.
After an already demanding career in the mines, Tommy committed himself fully to building the family business, working passionately for a further 35 years before retiring. His values of honesty, diligence, integrity and hard work remain central to how TMS operates today and continue to guide every aspect of the business.
Present day
Today, TMS has grown into the UK’s leading independent specialist in handling equipment supply, maintenance and refurbishment.
Our operations are underpinned by a commitment to service quality, operational transparency and long-term client partnerships. We work closely with our customers to deliver tailored solutions that improve efficiency, extend asset life and support safe, compliant operations.
With decades of experience across the food retail and logistics sectors, TMS combines industry knowledge with a proactive approach to innovation, safety and asset management – ensuring our clients receive reliable, future-focused support they can trust.